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SSU starts football practice at midnight

Others have tried. Others have failed. Savannah State’s new football coach Earnest Wilson understands there will be comparisons, but he doesn’t want to be lumped in with the others.

“I think this is a great situation,” said Wilson, about taking over a program that hasn’t won more than one game during the last three seasons. “They have talent here. Don’t be fooled.”

Wilson was the offensive coordinator at Hampton University last season and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He’ll take over for coach Steve Davenport, who was fired in April.

And Wilson is looking to change things up. To get an early start on the task of turning around a program that went 1-10 last season, he will begin preseason workouts tonight at midnight at T.A. Wright Stadium.

“I thought it would be a little fun, kick (preseason camp) off the right way,” Wilson said. “Get two good hours in, and when you’re finished get back to bed.”

Wilson, 48, has been at SSU less than two months and so far he’s undefeated. He said the school administration has been supportive, agreeing to buy more field equipment.

He’s also been able to hire three more coaches than he expected and has nine on staff.

He said his first chore was to see where the SSU players were academically and who was coming back and who was leaving.

“I wanted to know the mindset of the young men who were going to stay,” Wilson said.

True freshman running back De’Quan Daniels, who rushed for 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns at Statesboro High last season, should help the running game.

Cornerback John Wilson, an All-MEAC performer, anchors the Tigers’ defense.

The development of the offense should be interesting to watch because Wilson is a coaching disciple of Hal Mumme, who developed wide-open offenses most notably at Valdosta State and Kentucky.

Mumme was a mentor of former Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher.

Savannah State players will work out in helmets the first two days and will practice in shoulder pads Saturday and Sunday. The team puts on full gear Monday. The first scrimmage is scheduled for Aug. 7 at 5 a.m.